How Egypt is tackling its aviation challenges

Egypt is probably the most important country in the Middle East and Africa when it comes to aviation. However, it has faced its share of challenges in recent years, including the revolution and a range of security issues.

Alan Peaford and FINN talked to Egypt's Minister of Aviation, His Excellency, Sherif Fathi, to find out how things are going now.

“It is improving,” Fathi said. “Egypt was the pioneering country in civil aviation in Africa and the Middle East. However, it had some challenges. We had the revolution. We had also some ... I wouldn't say security challenges. It was more media statements that were not based on true facts about airport security.”

He added: “And our reaction to that was extremely open. We allowed auditors to come from the rest of the world, and every time they came in, they proved that what we have is as per the international standard. We also went further and reviewed our airport security devices and security equipment we use. We spent, in just three airports, more than $60 million in less than a year and a half, modernising the equipment we have at the airports -- despite the fact that none of the auditors made any remark on the equipment we had at the airports."

Emirates will introduce a daily A380 service for a temporary period between Glasgow and Dubai from 16 April 2019. It will be the first time the popular double decker aircraft will operate on a scheduled basis to Scotland.